Why does Bhaji get so much stick?

[Robin Hood]

OK Times of India has come up with some alarming numbers about Harbhajan. Time that harbhajan thinks about his game or the selectors must take a conscious decision to drop him for an year like sehwag and then may be get him back if the other new spinners tried are not upto the mark. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/india-tour-of-sri-lanka/top-stories/Its-getting-lonely-out-there-for-Harbhajan/articleshow/6239799.cms

[saneindian]

OK Times of India has come up with some alarming numbers about Harbhajan. Time that harbhajan thinks about his game or the selectors must take a conscious decision to drop him for an year like sehwag and then may be get him back if the other new spinners tried are not upto the mark. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/india-tour-of-sri-lanka/top-stories/Its-getting-lonely-out-there-for-Harbhajan/articleshow/6239799.cms

Interesting quote from Murali there "Often in flat conditions he has struggled, at home and also away, but that is because your board (BCCI) doesn't back him enough. If your strength is Harbhajan, why are you creating flat wickets? I got tremendous support at home from the system. At least let him win matches at home for you."

[putrevus]

Yeah well bowled Randiv. 150 up:two_thumbs_up: Should bhaji still keep taking notes on Randivs bowling:--D

Interesting quote from Murali there "Often in flat conditions he has struggled, at home and also away, but that is because your board (BCCI) doesn't back him enough. If your strength is Harbhajan, why are you creating flat wickets? I got tremendous support at home from the system. At least let him win matches at home for you."

we dont need to go back to 90s where doctored pitches help Indian spinners, we need to come up with sportive tracks and make the bowlers better rather than helping them and giving them false sense of accomplishments, thats why I rate Warne over Murali anyday he took wickets in SA and Australia where Murali never did well there.

[HowardRoark]

Harbhajan has choked under pressure - Prasanna http://cricket.yahoo.com/cricket/news/article?id=item/2.0/-/story/cricket.indianexpress.com/harbhajan-seems-choking-under-pressure-says-prasanna-20100802/

Harbhajan Singh's over-the-top celebration at the Eden Gardens earlier this year, after he dismissed South Africa's No. 10 batsman to help India square the series and retain the No. 1 Test ranking, is still fresh in memory. He justified that, saying he was merely trying to make a statement. "The media deserves this," he had said, referring to the growing criticism against him. Five months down the line, as the off-spinner looks clueless against Sri Lanka, the knives are out again. Expected to spearhead the attack in the series, Harbhajan has conceded 304 runs, picking up just two wickets so far in the two Tests at a shocking average of 152. According to former India off-spinner Erapalli Prasanna, Harbhajan is feeling the pressure of responsibility, even as technical flaws have crept into his bowling. "Harbhajan has choked under pressure. He was supposed to lead the bowling attack after (Anil) Kumble's retirement. But so far he has failed. He is bowling the wrong line � too wide outside the off stump. He's not getting his basics right. He needs counseling and some quality practice. The BCCI should take the initiative to ensure he doesn't fade away," Prasanna told The Indian Express. Prasanna attributed the sudden dip in Harbhajan's performance to his wrong approach and lack of variety. "I think it's all about his approach. To contain a batsman rather than dismissing him seems to be on top of his agenda. He is not turning his off-breaks and his doosras are easily picked. But first of all, he has to admit he is not bowling well, which he is not doing and thereby complicating his problems. "As a leading bowler, he needs to pick up wickets. If his doosra is getting picked easily, he should add variety to his off-spinners or use other tricks to get the better of batsmen. All his life he played second fiddle to Kumble, and it's becoming increasingly evident that he doesn't have it in him to play the lead role," said Prasanna. After Muralitharan's retirement, Harbhajan is the leading active bowler in Test cricket, with 357 wickets in 85 Tests at 30.94. His career strike rate is a healthy 67, but in the last one year it has gone up to almost 80. Prasanna points out that Sourav Ganguly brought out the best in Harbhajan and says a good skipper adds to the confidence of a spinner. Meanwhile, Tiger Pataudi says Harbhajan's poor form is because of a lack of support from the other end. "Every captain wants his leading bowler to take wickets. Bowlers hunt in pairs and after Kumble's retirement, Harbhajan doesn't have support from the other end. Earlier, Kumble used to create all the pressure. "Now, Harbhajan doesn't have anybody to complement him. Things have become worse in Sri Lanka with Zaheer Khan's absence. There's nobody to set it up for him upfront," says Pataudi, adding that the doosra too isn't a secret weapon anymore. "Over the years batsmen have managed to unlock its secret." At the same time, the selectors are woefully short of spin options and there isn't any alternative for Harbhajan. R Ashwin is considered a shorter-version specialist while selectors are strangely reluctant to consider Murali Kartik. Amit Mishra, Pragyan Ojha and Piyush Chawla haven't cashed in on their chances yet and the cupboard looks bare

[Lord]

knowing Bhaji's supporters,he must be a hater.After all,Bhajji has taken 350 wickets,how can u question him.so wat if u were a legend,u didnt take 350,so ur opinion doesnt matter

[The Realist]

Its becoming patently obvious that Singh simply does not have it in him to be the leading bowler ala Kumble. His serious limitations are becoming more and more obvious and this compounded by the fact that he always plays irrespective of mertit or performance. However judging by the article above he appears to have bigger problems: - Choking - Failed - Not getting basics right - Needs counselling - Admit problems :hysterical:

[DomainK]

Its becoming patently obvious that Singh simply does not have it in him to be the leading bowler ala Kumble. His serious limitations are becoming more and more obvious and this compounded by the fact that he always plays irrespective of mertit or performance. However judging by the article above he appears to have bigger problems: - Choking - Failed - Not getting basics right - Needs counselling - Admit problems :hysterical:

It was obvious long back. The problem is not in Bhajji, it's with us fans who either rate him as a world beater or as a total choker. In reality, he is a better than average bowler who has his share of success as well as failures. Unfortunately for us, he has remained our best for a long time. It's one of those cases where the best is not good enough. We need someone better than the best.

[King Tendulkar]

So Bahji was superb In SA test serieses. Best economy rate of all our bowlers in WC. Ranked in top 10 for test bowlers for years ahd 350 plus test wickets. Takes 3 wickets in ist odi and could have had 5 with ease if not for Droptiv, then has one half ok match and the mob are our for his blood. Why the hate guys?

[EnterTheVoid]

A little humility goes a long way

[King Tendulkar]

Why what has he done not humble of pitch apart from slapping sree, which frankly it seems most of the mob want to do anyway. Yes on the pitch he plays with fire and is aggressive. But off pitch to me no lack of humility

[EnterTheVoid]

Learn a lesson in humility from Dravid or Tendulkar. Running your mouth off in interviews doesn't help either. But no big deal, people may completely hate your guts bit if they've earned your respect, than you know you're doing something right.

[Midfielder]

Unaduletrated pathalogical hate.

[King Tendulkar]

400 plus test wickets , one of main stays of world cup winning team and team that got to number 1 in test rankings Gets picked merley as 3rd spinner and is getting slaughtered:hysterical: Me thinks after all he has achieved the grief is slightly OTT. Believe it not folks and I know its tough to swallow but if bhaji never takes another wicket, he will still be remebered as an indian legend after all he has achieved!

[Sidhoni]

He is getting slaughtered because he didn't do anything to make a come back except that one 4-wkt hall against England in WT20.

[CSK Fan]

400 plus test wickets , one of main stays of world cup winning team and team that got to number 1 in test rankings Gets picked merley as 3rd spinner and is getting slaughtered:hysterical: Me thinks after all he has achieved the grief is slightly OTT. Believe it not folks and I know its tough to swallow but if bhaji never takes another wicket, he will still be remebered as an indian legend after all he has achieved!

More than his performance, he gets flak because of his arrogance. For people who grew up watching Dravid, Sachin, Laxman, Kumble, getting 400 wickets doesnt entitle him to behave like the king of the world, looking down upon fans and critics. Even today after being selected as the third spinner, (not first or second which should have been a shame for him) he chose the moment to "answer his critics", not by his onfield performances, but by an interview.. He has never shown any respect for his fans or the opposition players. Arrogant ****s like him will always find themselves alone when they lose their form. Even Sachin's reputation got sullied in Australia because he associated with this guy and supported him

[GautiMaan]

Monkey(or ma ki) gate,slap gate,non performance and his loud mouth have had a cumulative effect

[saket123]

Interesting quote from Murali there "Often in flat conditions he has struggled, at home and also away, but that is because your board (BCCI) doesn't back him enough. If your strength is Harbhajan, why are you creating flat wickets? I got tremendous support at home from the system. At least let him win matches at home for you."

It's sad but true.. our BCCI is so tunnel visioned.. all they are interested is in minting money. There is absolutely zero investment in making our playing conditions more conducive to good bowling as well. I've been saying this for years.. we need more grassy and clayey pitches in India.. unfortunately they are still third rate batting pitches that can neutralize any good quality bowling just so that our Gambhir and Sehwags can loft them up high in the air for sixes and get a standing ovation from the masses.

[EnterTheVoid]

:hysterical:

[rkt.india]

:haha:

[EnterTheVoid]

Showed today, out bowled by Monty on a doctored Indian pitch prepared especially for the spin bowlers. If he can't take wickets on this pitch than seriously, what the eff is he even doing in the side? :hysterical: